Jet2 celebrates 15 years of flying to Jersey

Jet2 is celebrating 15 years of operating flights to Jersey. Since its first flight to the Island in 2008 the airline has flown more than 300,000 passengers here, with Jet2.com and Jet2holidays.

Jet2’s first flight to Jersey, on 24 May 2008, came from Leeds Bradford Airport. Now the airline offers connectivity from regional departure points with flights from four of its UK bases – East Midlands, Leeds Bradford, Newcastle International and London Stansted – and is offering more than 35,000 seats this summer.

CEO of Ports of Jersey, Matt Thomas, said: “We are delighted that our partnership with Jet2 has seen significant growth in both air routes and passenger numbers in the 15 years since they started flying here.  Jet2 provide reliable, ATOL protected package holidays, and give passengers choice and flexibility when they are looking to come to Jersey.

“Tourism plays a critical role for the island.  Not only is it a valuable industry which employs people, supports the hospitality sector and contributes to the economy, it helps maintain the air and sea routes we have become accustomed to.  Jersey businesses – airlines, ferry companies, hotels, restaurants and attractions – all benefit from the wider customer base that visitors provide.

“Secure connectivity is critically important for Islanders and our economy.  We are proud to have secured the resilience of our air links, and we plan to maintain and develop that connectivity, through the kinds of productive partnerships that we have developed with Jet2, providing choice for islanders and supporting a bright future for our visitor economy.”

Jersey’s Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture, Deputy Kirsten Morel, said: “Tourism is a vital part of both our local economy and Jersey’s community. Jet2 helps to underpin our Island’s connectivity, which is so important not only to our hospitality sector but to the wider economy as well. Jet2 has successfully grown and expanded its Jersey offering over the past 15 years, showing that our unique Island remains a very popular destination for visitors from the UK.”

Visit Jersey’s Interim Chief Executive, Claire Lyons, said: “Visit Jersey joins Jet2 and Ports of Jersey in celebrating 15 years of flights to Jersey, a valued partnership that has shown first-time and repeat holidaymakers alike all there is to discover about our island. We look forward to working collaboratively with Ports of Jersey and Jet2 to continue marketing Jersey’s appeal as a unique, easy-to-reach destination from the UK and supporting the growth of our visitor economy.”

CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, Steve Heapy, said: “This year marks 15 years since we started operating to Jersey, when we had just one route on sale. Today, we operate flights and holidays from four UK bases, and have flown hundreds of thousands of customers to this magnificent destination. Such growth and success over the last one and half decades would not be possible without the fantastic partnerships we have in Jersey, and I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to hoteliers, airports, tourist boards and all our partners.

“As we continue to grow and take more customers to Jersey on our award-winning flights and holidays, we will continue to put that partnership approach at the very heart of everything that we do and bring even more happy holidaymakers to the destination.”

Jet2’s 15^th anniversary flight from Leeds Bradford was met with Jersey Wonders for passengers and crew when it arrived yesterday afternoon (Tuesday 23 May).